Visiting Lake Travis is a perfect activity on a clear Austin day, with or without your boat. Lake Travis is a reservoir on the Colorado River, formed in 1942 with the construction of the Mansfield Dam. Today, Lake Travis is a popular destination for families, boaters, stand-up paddleboarders, swimmers, seekers of entertainment, and everyone in between. If you’re considering hitting Lake Travis in the near future, here’s how to make your day perfect.
Know Where to Go
To start, you’ll need to know the best parts of Lake Travis to visit. There is no single point of access on the lake, which covers a whopping 18,929 acres. Instead, there are hundreds of access points you can go to. Every part of the lake is beautiful, with unique crystal clear waters due to its limestone bottom. Visit Lake Travis’ website for a comprehensive overview of the most common places people go on the lake. They include the North Shore, where you’ll find a more secluded getaway with vacation rentals, and the South Shore, a popular commercial side of the lake that’s close to downtown Austin.
When planning your perfect day on Lake Travis, don’t forget to make a packing checklist. Write down everything you’ll need for your chosen lake activity. This might include your paddleboard and paddles, boat, or other water sport activity. Don’t forget your lifejacket and whistle if you’re going to operate or ride any kind of water vessel. Pack a nonperishable picnic for you and your family, and plenty of bottled water. You may want to bring a large blanket to lie on, towels, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
If you don’t have the proper equipment for the activities you have planned, several local rental shops have you covered. There are many different options for rental equipment on Lake Travis. Rent a houseboat, barge, skis, wakeboard, pontoon boat, wave runners, sailboat, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards, to name a few. Search for local rental shops on Google to view all your nearby options. Make sure you get everything you need with your rental, such as special paddles or safety gear.
There’s much more to do on Lake Travis than just water activities – although the sparkling blue lake is certainly appealing on a hot summer’s day. Shortly off of the water lies many opportunities for family fun, including lots of places to shop, eat, and listen to live music. If you’re feeling adventurous, sign up for the Lake Travis Zipline Adventures tour – an exhilarating “fly” right over the lake or head to Beachside Billy’s, a restaurant and water park that’s open to the public.
There are dozens of highly rated places to eat right on Lake Travis, with gorgeous views of the sunset over the water. Try The Gnarly Gar, a floating restaurant that serves fresh seafood and boasts live music on the weekends, or Poodie’s Roadhouse, which has been home to live shows from music legends like Willie Nelson and Freddy Powers. The whole family will have a great time at this famous dancehall and restaurant.
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This is an editorial contribution from Dr. Mysse Round Rock Dentistry, Round Rock’s longest practicing dentist.
Featured photo by Flickr user Vine Ripe Design, Creative Commons licensed
